Functional Assessment
Behavior assessment is based on a more scientific approach, the prime example of which is functional
assessment . (1) Describe what functional assessment is and how it can be used the following case:
Angela came to school very angry. Her parents had been having a heated argument,
and they both turned their anger on Angela shortly before she left the house.
Angela’s first class was history-a subject she felt was a waste of her time and that
was taught by a teacher with whom she did not get along. Angela and the history
teacher had a history of disagreements about her lack of interest and effort in this
class. Shortly after arriving in class, Angela’s history teacher told her that her shirt,
which contained a sexually explicit slogan on the back, was in very poor taste and
that she must go and change it immediately. Angela responded by yelling at the
teacher and refusing to change the shirt. Her friends laughed and cheered Angela’s
defiance. The history teacher told Angela to go to the office.
Your submission should address the following areas in your functional assessment:
2. Family/personal factors?
3. Environmental factors?
4. Antecedent? What are the antecedents to the target behavior(s)?
5. Behavior(s)? Describe the behavior that could be targeted. These can be problem behaviors
that would be targeted to decrease or behaviors that you would like to increase. Or, both.
6. Consequence? What are the immediate consequences of the behavior?
7. Maintaining reinforcers?
8. Function? What is the probable function of the behavior(s)?
9. Possible replacement behavior?
Make sure to number your answers
